Last Week's Question - I was walking through the quad yesterday and heard a squirrel squeaking high in a tree. As I continued to walk farther down the path, I noticed numerous squirrels crying out in their funny psycho barks. This squirrel lamentation lasted for a large part of campus and I thought, "The squirrels must be mourning or celebrating or trying to warn us humans." Other then a predatory announcement, what do you think the squirrels were bemoaning about?

Arun W. - the drought. that or the fact that they don't have a computer to watch the newest clip of wallace and gromit!!!!!!!!!!

(how timely this answer would have been if I had been more responsible…editor)

Theodore H. - The squirrels at UNCC are very friendly and tame. I petted one the other day. He didn't mind.

(I tried to take a picture of a UNC squirrel and he ran away. Jerk…..editor)

Baker P. - Glad to see that Squirrels are still a curiousity for the Stump. Anyways, they are mourning. What are they mourning, you ask? Simple - they mourn for lost tails and gained tumors. They mourn for disappearing innocence. They mourn for empty trash cans. But over all, they mourn Ehaus Field. No more can they hold their weekly conferences. No more tea and crumpets. No more squirrel tables with squirrel napkins.

(so true and so moving…where is all the green space going?…editor)

Patrick H. - Of course they had it right. Not only did they not waste materials and keep things simple, useful, and portable, everything belonged to the woman. That's why she carried and was responsible for all the stuff - It all belonged to her! The males carries only their weapons and rode/lead their horses, that was all they owned. Warriors were the expendable ones, expecting to die young and full of honor. Women, on the other hand, were worth something, to the point that braves would raid to steal them for wives.

(well, that was interesting…and completely unrelated. Honestly, some people….editor)

Nasim H. - As you know, there comes a certain point in a squirrel's life when he/she must step away from the protected and nurtured life of the oak tree. When this momentous occasion is upon such a one, it comes with great discomfort and a sense of loss. To help in the transition from having nuts and such at will to one of hunt, gather and store, all experienced squirrels shout out to the one....... get nuts.....

(if any mortal man has ever had insight into the squirrel mind, it is you…..editor)

Justin S. - I think the squirrels are all skilled in the art of oral storytelling (like Homer). So their barks are telling the tales of their heroes in epic combat with cats, hawks, and trash cans. They only want to share their culture with!

(Justin, drop the squirrel thing and get a life…yourself)

This Week's Question - You are given the option of knowing only one specific fact about your future significant other. You can choose between knowing either his/her name (anything from whole name to just first name and even to only knowing that there is a double letter) or a physical feature about him/her (hair color/length, height, etc.) What would you like to know and why?